Composition for keeping away vermin

ABSTRACT

The invention describes essentially a non-therapeutical process for deterring vermin, which is based on the usage of the largely known compounds of formula (I), as defined herein before. Furthermore, it describes the corresponding vermin-deterring compositions which contain these substances as the active ingredient, compounds of formula (I) for the preparation of vermin-deterring compositions, and the use of compounds of formula (I) in the defence against vermin. Thus, the invention describes how and in which form the compounds of formula (I) or their acid addition salts are used to deter vermin from materials, places or warm-blooded animals.

[0001] Composition for keeping away vermin

[0002] The present invention relates essentially to a non-therapeutical process for deterring vermin, which is based on the usage of the largely known compounds of formula (I) shown below. Furthermore, it relates to corresponding vermin-deterring compositions which contain these substances as the active ingredient, to compounds of formula (I) for the preparation of vermin-deterring compositions, and to the use of compounds of formula (I) in the defence against vermin.

[0003] It has surprisingly been found that the compounds of formula (I) below

[0004] or their acid addition salts, wherein

[0005] R is hydrogen, C₁-C₂₀-alkyl or -C(O)-R₈, whereby R₈ is C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, C₁-C₂₀-alkoxy, unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl which is substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, alkoxy, amino or nitro; R₁ is hydrogen, C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, -C(O)-R₃, -C(S)-R₄, C(O)-O-R₅, -C(O)-NH-R₆ or -C(S)-NH-R₇; whereby R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆ and R₇, independently of one another, signify C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, acetoxy, C₁-C₁₀-haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy or C₁-C₁₀-haloalkoxy, or independently of one another, denote unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl which is substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, C₁-C₃-alkoxy, amino, CHO or nitro;

[0006] R₂ and R₃, independently of one another, are hydrogen, C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, amino, aryl or nitro;

[0007] R_(a) denotes hydrogen, unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl or C₁-C₂₀-alkyl which is substituted once or many times by halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, alkoxy, nitro, phenyl, biphenyl, benzyloxy or phenoxyphenyl, whereby each phenyl, biphenyl, benzyloxy or phenoxyphenyl in turn Is unsubstituted or substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃-alkoxy, halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, amino or nitro; or it denotes C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, phenyl, biphenyl, phenoxyphenyl or heterocyclyl, whereby each of these cyclic radicals is unsubstituted or substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₂-C₈-alkenyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃-alkoxy, halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, amino, (C₁-C₃-alkyl)₂N, acetyl or nitro; or it denotes C₁-C₆-alkylene-aryl, whereby the aryl radical is unsubstituted or substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano, hydroxyl or nitro; or it denotes C₁-C₂₀-alkyl which, depending on the number of carbon atoms, is interrupted by oxygen at one or several positions; and R_(b) signifies hydrogen, C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, heterocyclyl or aryl, whereby each of the cyclic radicals is unsubstituted or substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkoxy, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, C₁-C₃-alkoxy, amino, (C₁-C₃-alkyl)₂N, or nitro;

[0008] are eminently suitable for deterring vermin. Through the usage according to the invention of the above compounds, the most varied vermin of humans, animals, objects or certain places can be deterred, whereby numerous compounds within the scope of formula (I) are notable for their particularly long duration of efficacy.

[0009] Compounds of formula (I) having at least one basic centre may form e.g. acid addition salts. These are formed for example with strong inorganic acids, such as mineral acids, e.g. perchloric acid, sulphuric acid, nitric acid, nitrous acid, a phosphoric acid or a hydrohalic acid, with strong organic carboxylic acids, typically C₁-C₄alkanecarboxylic acids substituted where appropriate for example by halogen, e.g. acetic acid, such as dicarboxylic acids that are unsaturated where appropriate, e.g. oxalic, malonic, succinic, maleic, fumaric or phthalic acid, typically hydroxycarboxylic acids, e.g. ascorbic, lactic, malic, tartaric or citric acid, or benzoic acid, or with organic sulphonic acids, typically C₁-C₄alkanesulphonic or arylsulphonic acids substituted where appropriate for example by halogen, e.g. methanesulphonic or p-toluenesulphonic acid. Of the salts, particular preference is given to those formed with strong acids, especially with mineral acids, in particular with the hydrohalic acids HCI and HBr.

[0010] All multiple substitutions are to be interpreted such that identical or different substituents may occur simultaneously.

[0011] The alkyl groups present in the definitions of the substituents may be straight-chained or branched, depending on the number of carbon atoms, and they may be for example methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, octadecyl or eicosyl, as well as the branched isomers thereof, for example isopropyl, isobutyl, sec.-butyl, tert.-butyl, isopentyl, neopentyl or isohexyl. Alkoxy, haloalkyl and haloalkoxy radicals are derived from the said alkyl groups.

[0012] Halo denotes halogen and normally signifies fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, preferably fluorine or chlorine, especially chlorine, whereby the corresponding substituent may contain one or more identical or different halogen atoms.

[0013] Halogen-substituted carbon-containing groups, such as haloalkyl or haloalkoxy, may be partially halogenated or perhalogenated, whereby in the case of multiple halogenation, the halogen substituents may be identical or different. Examples of haloalkyl—as a group per se and as structural element of other groups and compounds such as haloalkoxy—are methyl which is mono- to trisubstituted by fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine, such as CHF₂ or CF₃; ethyl which is mono- to pentasubstituted by fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine, such as CH₂CF₃, CF₂CF₃, CF₂CCI₃, CF₂CHCI₂, CF₂CHF₂, CF₂CFCI₂, CF₂CHBr₂, CF₂CHCIF, CF₂CHBrF or CCIFCHCIF; propyl or isopropyl, mono- to heptasubstituted by fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine, such as CH₂CHBrCH₂Br, CF₂CHFCF₃, CH₂CF₂CF₃ or CH(CF₃)₂; and butyl or one of its isomers, mono- to nonasubstituted by fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine, such as CF(CF₃)CHFCF₃ or CH₂(CF₂)₂CF₃.

[0014] Alkenyl—as a group per se and as structural element of other groups and compounds such as alkeneoxy, halogenalkenyl or halogenalkeneoxy—is, in each case with due consideration of the specific number of carbon atoms in the group or compound in question, either straight-chained, for example vinyl, 1-methylvinyl, allyl, 1-butenyl or 2-hexenyl, or branched, for example isopropenyl.

[0015] Appropriate cycloalkyl substituents contain 3 to 8 carbon atoms and are, for example, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl. Corresponding cycloalkenyl substituents may be mono- or also repeatedly unsaturated, for example cyclopentadienyl or cyclooctatetraenyl. Cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl are preferred.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, aryl is understood to be phenyl or naphthyl, especially phenyl. These aryl groups are either unsubstituted or are substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₃-alkoxy, C₁-C₃-haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, amino or nitro, whereby each multiple substitution is not limited to identical substituents; instead, mixed substituents may appear.

[0017] In the context of the present invention, heterocyclyl is understood to mean aliphatic or aromatic and additionally also benzo-condensed cyclic radicals, which contain at least one oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen atom. Five- and six-membered heterocycles are preferred. Heterocyclyl typically includes substituents such as dioxolanyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, pyridyl, pyrryl, furyl, thienyl, imidazolyl, tetrahydrofuryl, tetrahydropyrryl, tetrahydropyranyl, dihydrofuryl, dihydropyranyl, benzofuryl, benzothienyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolinyl, oxazolidinyl, indolyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl and dioxanyl. Preference is given especially to those which are unsubstituted or have one or two halogen atoms, halogen in this case denoting fluorine, chlorine or bromine, but especially chlorine. Of these heterocyclyl radicals, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, pyridyl, pyrryl, furyl, thienyl, tetrahydrofuryl, benzofuryl and benzothienyl are especially notable.

[0018] A preferred sub-group in the context of formula (I) is formed by compounds wherein

[0019] R is hydrogen or C₁-C₆alkyl;

[0020] R₁ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, -C(O)-R₃or -C(S)-R_(4;) whereby R₃and R₄independently of one another, are C₁-C₃-alkyl, acetoxy, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, or independently of one another, are unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl which is substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl or halogen;

[0021] R₂ and R₃ independently of one another, are hydrogen or C₁-C₃-alkyl;

[0022] R_(a) is hydrogen, C₅-C₂₀-alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl or phenyl, whereby each of the cyclic radicals is unsubstituted or is substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₃-alkoxy, halogen, amino, (C₁-C₃-alkyl)₂N, or acetyl; and

[0023] R_(b) is hydrogen, unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl which is substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₃-alkoxy, halogen, amino or (C₁-C₃-alkyl)₂N; including the acid addition salts thereof. po In the context of formula (I), the compounds which are especially preferred are those wherein R is hydrogen and the remaining substituents are defined as under formula (I), as well as the acid addition salts thereof. A further sub-group, which is preferred because of its marked activity, is formed by compounds of formula I, wherein R₁ is -C(O)-R₃, whereby R₃ represents unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl which is substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, especially by methyl, ethyl or isopropyl, and the remaining substituents are defined as under formula (I), as well as the acid addition salts thereof. Also of interest are the compounds of formula (I), wherein R₂ and R₃ independently of one another, are the compounds of formula (I), wherein R₂ and R₃ independently of one another, are hydrogen or methyl, and the remaining substituents are defined as under formula (I), as well as the acid addition salts thereof. Of the above-mentioned compounds of formula (I), particular preference is given to those in which R_(a) is C₅-C₂₀-alkyl, benzoyloxymethyl, 2,3-dihydrobenzo(b)furryl-2, unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl which is substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, methoxy or chlorine; including the acid addition salts thereof, and in particular representatives in which R_(a) is a straight-chained C₇-C₂₀-alkyl; including the acid addition salts thereof. The free active ingredients are clearly preferred over the acid addition salts. Each representative of the group of individual substances listed below is especially preferred owing to its marked activity, those marked with the asterix being new and representing a constituent of the present invention: 2-[n-(1-hydroxyhexyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxyheptyl)]piperidine*, 2-[n-(1-hydroxyoctyl)]piperidine*, 2-[n-(1-hydroxynonyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxydecyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxyundecyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxydodecyl)lpiperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxytridecyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxytetradecyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxypentade-cyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxyhexadecyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxyheptadecyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxyoctadecyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxynonadecyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1 -hydroxyeicosyl)]-piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxyeneicosyl)]piperidine, 2-[(1-cyclopentyl)(1-hydroxy)methyl]piperidine, 2-[(1-phenyl) (1-hydroxy)methyl]-4-tert.butyl-piperidine, 2-[(1-phenyl)(1-hydroxy)methyl]piperidine, N-me-thyl-2-[(1-phenyl) (1-hydroxy)methyl]piperidine, 2-[(1-diphenyl)(1-hydroxy)methyl]piperidine, 2-[(1-phenyl) (1-[2,3-dihydrobenzo(b)furryl](1-hydroxy)methyl]piperidine, N-methyl-2-[(1 -[4- methylphenyll)-(1-hydroxy)methyl]piperidine, 2-[(1-[4-methylphenyl])(1-hydroxy)methyl]piperidine, 2-[(1-[4-isopropyl-phenyl]) (1-hydroxy)methyl]piperidine, N-methyl-2-[(1-[4-isopropylphenyl])(1-hydroxy)methyl]-piperidine, 2-[(1-[4-methoxyphenyl])(1-hydroxy)methyl]piperidine, 2-1(1-[benzyloxymethyl])(1-hydroxy)methyl]piperidine, 2-[(1-thienyl)(1-hydroxy)methyl]piperidine, 6,6-dimethyl-2-[(1-[4-chlorphenyl]) (1-hydroxy)methyl]piperidine, N-acetyl-2-[(1-hydroxy)(1-undecyl)]piperidine* or N-ethoxycarbonyl--2-[(1 -hydroxy)(1-undecyl)]piperidine*.

[0024] Chemical Abstracts, Vol. 107, No. 23, 7 December 1987, Columbus, Ohio, US; abstract no. 215128 discloses amongst other compounds deoxynojirimicin as a deterrent exhibiting slight activity against certain plant damaging insects. GB-A-2,071,653 discloses compounds that are structurally related to the compounds of the formula I of the present invention. They can be used in marine and fresh-water environments particularly to reduce algal, barnacle or fungal growth. EP-A-0,281,908 and EP-A-0,289,842 disclose the use of certain α,ω-aminoalcohol derivatives, e.g. some piperidines as insect and tick repellents.

[0025] In the context of the present invention, vermin are understood to be in particular insects, mites and ticks. These include insects of the order: Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Homoptera, Heteroptera, Diptera, Thysanoptera, Orthoptera, Anoplura, Siphonaptera, Mallophaga, Thysanura, Isoptera, Psocoptera and Hymenoptera. However, the vermin which may be mentioned in particular are those which trouble humans or animals and carry pathogens, for example flies such as Musca domestica, Musca vetustissima, Musca autumnalis, Fannia canicularis, Sarcophaga carnaria, Lucilia cuprina, Hypoderma bovis, Hypoderma lineatum, Chrysomyia chloropyga, Dermatobia hominis, Cochliomyia hominivorax, Gasterophilus intestinalls, Oestrus ovis, Stomoxys calcitrans, Haematobia irritans and midges (Nematocera), such as Culicidae, Simuliidae, Psychodidae, but also blood-sucking vermin, for example fleas, such as Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis (cat and dog fleas), Xenopsylla cheopis, Pulex irritans, Dermatophilus penetrans, lice, such as Damalina ovis, Pediculus humanis, biting flies and horse-flies (Tabanidae), Haematopota spp. such as Haematopota pluvialis, Tabanidea spp. such as Tabanus nigrovittatus, Chrysopsinae spp. such as Chrysops caecutiens, tsetse flies, such as species of Glossinia, biting insects, particularly cockroaches, such as Blatella germanica, Blatta orientalis, Periplaneta americana, mites, such as Dermanyssus gallinae, Sarcoptes scabiei, Psoroptes ovis and Psorergates spp. and last but not least ticks. The latter belong to the order Acarina. Known representatives of ticks are, for example, Boophilus, Amblyomma, Anocentor, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, Ixodes, Rhipicentor, Margaropus, Rhipicephalus, Argas, Otobius and Ornithodoros and the like, which preferably infest warm-blooded animals including farm animals, such as cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, poultry such as chickens, turkeys and geese, fur-bearing animals such as mink, foxes, chinchillas, rabbits and the like, as well as domestic animals such as cats and dogs, but also humans.

[0026] Ticks may be divided into hard and soft ticks, and are characterised by infesting one, two or three host animals. They attach themselves to a passing host animal and suck the blood or body fluids. Fully engorged female ticks drop from the host animal and lay large amounts of eggs (2000 to 3000) in a suitable crack in the floor or in any other protected site where the larvae hatch. These in turn seek a host animal, in order to suck blood from it. Larvae of ticks which only infest one host animal moult twice and thus become nymphs and finally adult ticks without leaving the host they have selected. Larvae of ticks which infest two or three host animals leave the animal after feeding on the blood, moult in the local environment and seek a second or third host as nymphs or as adult ticks, in order to suck its blood. Ticks are responsible world-wide for the transmission and spread of many human and animal diseases. Because of their economic influence, the most important ticks are Boophi-lus, Rhipicephalus, Ixodes, Hyalomma, Amblyomma and Dermacentor. They are carriers of bacterial, viral, rickettsial and protozoal diseases and cause tick-paralysis and tick-toxicosis. Even a single tick can cause paralysis whereby its saliva penetrates into the host animal during ingestion. Diseases caused by ticks are usually transmitted by ticks, which infest several host animals. Such diseases, for example babesiosis, anaplasmosis, theileriasis and heart water disease, are responsible for the death or impairment of a large number of domestic and farm animals in the entire world. In many countries of temperate climate, Ixodide ticks transmit the agent of the chronically harmful Lyme's disease from wild animals to humans. Apart from the transmission of disease, the ticks are responsible for great economic losses in livestock production. Losses are not confined to the death of the host animals, but also include damage to the pelts, loss of growth, a reduction in milk production and reduced value of the meat. Although the harmful effects of a tick infestation on animals have been known for years, and enormous progress has been made using tick-control programmes, until now no completely satisfactory methods of controlling or eliminating these parasites have been found, and in addition, ticks have often developed resistance to chemical active ingredients.

[0027] The infestation of fleas on domestic animals and pets likewise still represents for the owner a problem which has not been satisfactorily resolved or can only be resolved at considerable expense. As with ticks, fleas are not only troublesome, but are carriers of disease, and transmit various fungal diseases from host animal to host animal and to the animal keeper, particularly in moist, warm climatic areas, for example in the Mediterranean, in the southern part of USA, etc. Those at risk in particular are people with a weakened immune system or children whose immune system has not yet fully developed. Owing to their complex life cycle, none of the known methods for the control of fleas is completely satisfactory, especially as most known methods are basically directed towards the control of adult fleas in the pelt, and leave completely untouched the different juvenile stages of the fleas, which exist not only in the pelt of the animal, but also on the floor, in carpets, in the bedding of the animal, on chairs, in the garden and all other places with which the infested animal comes into contact. Flea treatment is usually expensive and has to be continued over long periods of time. Success usually depends on treating not only the infested animal, e.g. the dog or cat, but at the same time all the locations which the infested animal frequents.

[0028] Such a complicated procedure is unnecessary with the present compounds of formula (I), since a particular advantage of the compounds of formula (I) under discussion is that they are extremely effective and at the same time of very low toxicity both for the target parasites and for the warm-blooded animals. This is because their activity is based not on the death of the target parasite, but on the parrying defence thereof, before it attacks, sting, bites or in any other way harms the host organism. The presence of the compounds of formula (I) being discussed here appears to disturb the parasites in such a way that they suddenly leave the treated environment without biting or stinging, or even do not infest a treated host animal at all. What is striking is that the effect sets in when the parasite comes into contact with the active ingredient for a short time. After contact for a short time, the parasite avoids any further contact with the active ingredient. An additional advantage lies in the long-term action, e.g. compared with DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), which although very effective, volatilizes rather rapidly and therefore has to be reapplied already after ca. 2 hours, and is thus not appropriate for the long-term treatment of animals. Usage of the present active ingredients is also pleasant because they are almost odourless.

[0029] Although the present active ingredients can of course be mixed with other substances having the same sphere of activity or with parasiticides or with other activity-improving substances to achieve further improved or longer-lasting action, and then applied, in contrast to many compounds of the prior art, this is totally unnecessary, as they already combine all the advantageous properties.

[0030] If the parasite is not only to be kept at bay, but also killed, of course this can be achieved by adding appropriate insecticides and/or acaricides. In practice, however, this is unnecessary in most cases.

[0031] The present active ingredients are preferably used in diluted form. Normally, they are brought to the final application form by using appropriate formulation excipients, and they then contain between 0.1 and 95% by weight, preferably 0.5 to 90% by weight of the active ingredient.

[0032] Since the active ingredients are in many instances applied to warm-blooded animals and of course come into contact with the skin, suitable formulation excipients are the excipients and administration forms that are known in cosmetics. They may be administered in the form of solutions, emulsions, ointments, creams, pastes, powders, sprays, etc. For administration to farm animals or pets, such as cows, horses, asses, camels, dogs, cats, poultry, sheep, goats, etc., the so-called ‘pour-on’ or ‘spot-on’ formulations are especially suitable; these liquid or semi-liquid formulations have the advantage that they only have to be applied to a small area of the pelt or plumage, and, thanks to the proportion of spreading oils or other spreading additives, they disperse by themselves over the whole pelt or plumage, without having to do anything else, and become active over the whole area.

[0033] Of course, inanimate materials, for example clothing or dog and cat baskets, stables, carpets, curtains, living quarters, conservatories, etc. may be treated with said formulations and thus protected from parasite infestation.

[0034] To control cockroaches, their locus, usually cracks in the walls, furniture, etc., can be sprayed or powdered. Since cockroaches are extremely vigorous and it is almost impossible to drive them away completely, it is recommended that when using the present active ingredients, insecticides having activity against cockroaches are used additionally. For application on humans, a pleasant-smelling essence, e.g. a perfume, can be added to make application more attractive.

[0035] The following examples of preparation and usage of the active ingredients according to the invention serve to illustrate the invention without restricting it. In particular, preferred formulations are made up as follows:

[0036] Formulation Example 1

[0037] A vermin-deterring composition in the form of a lotion for application to the skin is prepared by mixing 30 parts of one of the active ingredients according to the invention from Table 1, 1.5 parts of perfume and 68.5 parts of isopropanol, whereby the latter may be replaced by ethanol.

[0038] Formulation Example 2

[0039] A vermin-deterring composition in the form of an aerosol for spraying onto the pelt of a pet is prepared by formulating 50% active ingredient solution, consisting of 30 parts of one of the active ingredients according to the invention from Table 1, 1.5 parts of perfume and 68.5 parts of isopropanol, with 50% Frigen {fraction (11/12)} (a halog enated hydrocarbon) as propellant gas in an aerosol can.

[0040] Formulation Example 3

[0041] A vermin-deterring composition in the form of an aerosol for spraying onto the skin is prepared by formulating 40% active ingredient solution, consisting of 20 parts of one of the active ingredients according to the invention, 1 part of perfume, 79 parts of isopropanol, with 60% propane/butane (in a ratio of 15:85) as propellant gas in an aerosol can.

[0042] By way of example, the following Tables reproduce a few of the compounds included under formula (I) which can be used according to the invention, but do not claim to be a total list. The substances shown in italics are new and are part of the present invention. The remaining substances, including their preparation processes, are known from literature. The subsequent preparation example merely serves to exemplify and relates to one particularly preferred substance. Most of these known substances are used in human medicine for various illnesses, for example as bronchodilators, anti-allergic agents, analgesics, diuretics, antidepressants, dopamine-antagonists, etc. Some are attributed with having herbicidal or fungicidal activity. The new representatives within the scope of formula (I), shown in italics in Table 1 below, may be prepared analogously to the known substances. In column “R”, the representatives having an acid in round parenthesis are the corresponding acid addition salts.

[0043] A mixture of bromomagnesium decane (0.31 mols) in 350 ml of dry diethyl ether is mixed dropwise at 25° C. with a solution of 2-cyanopyridine (0.3 mols) in 250 ml of dry ethyl ether. The reaction mixture is heated for 2 hours under reflux, then cooled to 10° C. and mixed with aqueous sulphuric acid (70 ml water /200 ml 5N H₂SO₄). The reaction product is extracted with diethyl ether. The ether phase is washed repeatedly with saturated sodium chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulphate, filtered and concentrated in a vacuum. 72.5 g of compound B (97.7 % yield) are obtained as an oil, which is used for the next stage without further purification. In this stage, a mixture of 4.6 g of compound B and 0.25 g of PTO₂ in 45 ml of acetic acid is mixed with elementary hydrogen for hydrogenation at room temperature. After 17 hours, all solid constituents are filtered and the liquid phase is mixed with 2-normal caustic soda solution. Extraction with dichloroethane follows next. The organic phase is washed repeatedly with saturated sodium chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulphate, filtered and concentrated in a vacuum. The residue is mixed with methanol, whereby the title compound precipitates as an amorphous powder. After filtration and drying in a vacuum, 2.8 g (62% yield) of the title substance are obtained with a m.p. of 61-63° C.

[0044] In the following Table, Ac is acetyl, AcO is acetyloxy, Me is methyl, MeO is methoxy, Et is ethyl, EtO is ethoxy, P is propyl, PO is propoxy, nP is n-propyl, iP is iso-propyl, B is butyl, nB is n-butyl, iB is iso-butyl, sB is sec.-butyl, tB is tert.-butyl, Ph is phenyl; Bz is benzyl, cPro is cyclopropyl, cBu is cyclobutyl, cPen is cyclopentyl, cHex is cyclohexyl, cHep is cycloheptyl, cOc is cyclooctyl, and me is methylene. TABLE 1 Compounds of formula (I) No. R₁ R₂ R₃ R_(a) R_(b) R 1.01 H H H Me H H 1.02 H H H Me 2-Me-indolyl H 1.03 H 3-Me H Me H H 1.04 H 5-Me H Me H H 1.05 H H H Me 1-Me-indol- H 2-yl 1.06 H 6-Me H Me H H 1.07 H H H Et H H 1.08 6-Me H H Et H H 1.09 5-Me H H Et H H 1.10 H H H nP H H 1.11 H H H iP H H 1.12 6-Me H H iP H H 1.13 5-Et H H iP H H 1.14 H H H nB H H 1.15 H H H iB H H 1.16 H H H 4-Et-cHex H H 1.17 H H H 4-Et-cHex H H (HCl) 1.18 H H H 1-Me-3-iP- Ph H cPen 1.19 H H H 4-Me-cPen Ph H 1.20 H H H 4-Me-cPen Ph H (HCl) 1.21 H H H cPen H 1.22 H H H −(me)₄−Me H H 1.23 H H H −(me)₅−Me H H 1.24 H H H −(me)₆−Me H H 1.25 H H H −(me)₇−Me H H 1.26 H H H −(me)₈−Me H H 1.27 H H H −(me)₉−Me H H 1.28 H H H −(me)₁₀−Me H H 1.29 H H H −(me)₁₁−Me H H 1.30 H 2-(me)⁴⁻ −(me)₁₁Me H H 1.31 H H H −(me)₁₂−Me H H 1.32 H H H −(me)₁₃−Me H H 1.33 H H H −(me)₁₄−Me H H 1.34 H H H −(me)₁₅−Me H H 1.35 H H H −(me)₁₆−Me H H 1.36 H H H −(me)₁₇−Me H H 1.37 H H H −(me)₁₈−Me H H 1.38 H H H −(me)₁₉−Me H H 1.39 H H H −(me)₂₀−Me H H 1.40 H H H Ph H H 1.41 H 4-Me H Ph H H 1.42 H 6-Me H Ph H H 1.43 H 3-Me H Ph H H 1.44 H H H Ph H H (HCl) 1.45 Me H H Ph H H (HCl) 1.46 H 4-tB H Ph H H 1.47 H 4-Et H Ph H H 1.48 H 4-Et H Ph H H (HCl) 1.49 2,4,6-tri-iP- H H Ph H H Ph-CO- 1.50 H H H Ph Ph H 1.51 H H H Ph Ph H (HCl) 1.52 H 4-Me H Ph Ph H 1.53 H 4-Me H Ph Ph H (HCl) 1.54 H 6-Me H Ph Ph H 1.55 H 6-Me H Ph Ph H (HCl) 1.56 3,5-diMePh- H H Ph H H CO- 1.57 H H H Ph 2-piperidinyl H (HCl) 1.58 3,5-diMePh- H H Ph 2-piperidinyl H CO- 1.59 H H H Ph 2,3-dihydro- H (HCl) benzo(b)- furryl 1.60 H H H Ph thienyl H (HCl) 1.49 H 4-diphenyl- H Ph Ph H (HCl) hydroxymeth yl 1.61 2,4,6-tri-iP- H H Ph Ph H Ph-CO- 1.62 2,4,6-tri-iP- tB H Ph Ph H Ph-CO- 1.63 H H H 2-Me-Ph Ph H 1.64 H H H 2-Me-Ph Ph H (HCl) 1.65 H H H 3-Me-Ph Ph H 1.66 H H H 3-Me-Ph Ph H (HCl) 1.67 H H H 4-Me-Ph Ph H 1.68 H H H 4-Et-Ph Ph H 1.69 H H H 4-Et-Ph Ph H (HCl) 1.70 H H H 4-EtO-Ph Ph H 1.71 H H H 4-EtO-Ph Ph H (HCl) 1.72 H H H 2,4,6-tri-Me- Ph H Ph 1.73 H H H 2,4,6-tri-Me- Ph H Ph 1.74 H H H 2,5-di-MeO- Ph H Ph 1.75 H H H 2,5-di-MeO- Ph H (HCl) Ph 1.76 H H H 3,4,5-tri- Ph H (HCl) MeO-Ph 1.77 H H H 2-OH-Ph H H (HCl) 1.78 H H H 2-Me-Ph H H 1.79 H H H 2-Me-Ph H H (HCl) 1.80 H H H 3-OH-Ph H H (HCl) 1.81 H H H 3-F-Ph H H 1.82 H H H 3-Cl-Ph H H 1.83 H 6-Me 6-Me 3-Cl-Ph H H (HCl) 1.84 H 6-Me 6-Me 3-Cl-Ph H H (HCl) 1.85 H H H 3-MeO-Ph H H 1.86 H H H 4-OH-Ph H H (HCl) 1.87 Me H H 4-Me-Ph H H (HCl) 1.88 H H H 4-Me-Ph H H 1.89 H H H 4-Me-Ph H H (HCl) 1.90 H H H 4-MeO-Ph H H 1.91 H H H 4-MeO-Ph H H (HCl) 1.92 H H H 4-EtO-Ph H H 1.93 H H H 4-EtO-Ph H H (HCl) 1.94 H H H 4-Me₂N-Ph H H 1.95 H H H 4-iP-Ph H H (HCl) 1.96 Me H H 4-iP-Ph H H (HCl) 1.97 H H H 4-MeO-Ph H H (HCl) 1.98 H H H 4-F-Ph H H 1.99 H H H 4-Cl-Ph H H 1.100 H H H 4-Cl-Ph 2-piperidinyl H (HCl) 1.101 H 6-Me 6-Me 4-Cl-Ph H H (HCl) 1.102 H H H 4-CF₃-Ph H H 1.103 H H H 4-F-Ph 2-piperidinyl H 1.104 H H H 6-Me-Ph H H 1.105 H H H 6-MeO-Ph H H 1.106 6-Me H H 6-MeO-Ph H H 1.107 6-Me H H 3,4-di-OH- H H (HCl) PH 1.108 5-Me H H 3,4-di-OH- H H (HCl) PH 1.109 2,4,6-tri-iP- H H Ph H H Ph-CO- 1.110 4-Me H H 3,4-di-OH- H H (HBr) PH 1.111 H H H 3,4-di-Me-Ph H H H H H 3,4-di-Me-Ph H H (HCl) 1.112 H H H 3,4-di-MeO- H H Ph 1.113 H H H 3,4-di-MeO- H H (HCl) Ph 1.114 H 6-Me 6-Me 3,4-di-Cl-Ph H H 1.115 H 6-Me 6-Me 3,4-di-Cl-Ph H H (HCl) 1.116 H H H 2,5-di-MeO- H H Ph 1.117 H H H 3,4-di-OH-5- H H Me-Ph 1.118 H H H 3-MeO-4- H H OH-Ph 1.119 6-Me H H 3,4-di OH-Ph H H (HBr) 1.120 H H 3-NH₂-4-OH- H H (HBr) Ph 1.121 H H H 3-Cl-4-NH₂₋ H H Ph 1.122 H H H 3-Cl-4-Ac-Ph H H (HCl) 1.123 H H H 3-MeO-4- H H (HCl) OH-Ph 1.124 H H H 2-Me-3,4-di- H H (HCl) OH-Ph 1.125 H H H 2-Me-3,4-di- H H (HBr) OH-Ph 1.126 H H H 2-Me-Ph 2-Me-Ph H 1.127 H H H 2-Me-Ph 2-Me-Ph H (HCl) 1.128 H H H 4-Me-Ph 4-Me-Ph H 1.129 H H H 4-Me-Ph 4-Me-Ph H (HCl) 1.130 H 4-Me H 4-Me-Ph 4-Me-Ph H 1.131 H H H 4-MeO-Ph 4-MeO-Ph H 1.132 H H H 4-MeO-Ph 4-MeO-Ph H (HCl) 1.133 H H H 4-Me₂N-Ph 4-Me₂N-Ph H 1.134 H H H 4-Me₂N-Ph 4-Me₂N-Ph H (HCl) 1.135 H H H 4-EtO-Ph 4-EtO-Ph H 1.136 H H H 4-EtO-Ph 4-EtO-Ph H (HCl) 1.137 H H H CH₂OBz H H 1.138 H H H thienyl thienyl H 1.139 H 6-Me 6-Me 4-Cl-Ph H H 1.140 Me-CO H H −(me)₉−Me H H 1.141 Et-O-CO H H −(me)₉−Me H H 1.142 MeHN-CS H H −(me)₉−Me H H 1.143 EtHN-CO H H −(me)₉−Me H H

[0045] Biological Examples:

[0046] Arena test method for testing vermin-deterring substances

[0047] This method is carried out in titre plates having 6 wells with a cross-section of 5 cm each, using a computer-supported video system. Each well of the titre plate is lined with a circular filter paper or another suitable carrier material. The substance of formula I to be tested is dissolved in methanol, acetonitrile or another suitable solvent, with ultrasound treatment and heating being employed for poorly-soluble substances. In an amount of 1 to 100 μg/cm², the dissolved test substance is placed in the centre of the filter paper on a quadrant or circular area of ca. 2.4 cm² radius. 4 of the 6 wells are filled with different test substances or with the same test substance in different dilutions (e.g. 1, 3.2, 5, 10 and 20 μg/cm²). The 5th well is treated with DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) as standard substance. The 6th well is filled with the pure solvent and serves as a control. 60 to 100 larvae or 25 to 50 nymphs or 10 to 25 adults of the parasite to be tested, e.g. ticks, are added to each filter paper, and the system is covered with a pane of glass and positioned under a video camera. At intervals of 5 seconds, the video camera takes individual pictures of all 6 wells. For a qualitative evaluation, these images are observed in a time-lapse as a continuous film, optically following the movements of the parasites on the filter paper and comparing them with the movements in the control well no. 6 or with the standard in the 5th well. A qualitative observation is thus made as to whether the test parasites move evenly over the whole surface of the filter paper and ignore the test substance, or whether and over what period they avoid the treated zone, and what influence the dilution of the test substance has on the behaviour of the test parasites. In this way, neutral and deterring substances are determined. At the same time, the duration of activity of the test substance is determined and compared with that of the standard. By plotting all the images for each individual well over one another, different areas of density are obtained. This represents the frequency at which the parasites visit certain places. This frequency is evaluated statistically and thus quantitatively by the Willcoxon method in a comparison with the control and with the standard. Compounds of Table 1, for example nos. 1.22 to 1.41, 1.44, 1.45, 1.59, 1.87, 1.89, 1.95, 1.96, 1.97, 1.101, 1.137, 1.138 and 1.139, display excellent activity.

[0048] Arena test in vitro against Amblyomma hebraeum or variegatum (nymphs)

[0049] The test is carried out as described above, with ca. 25 to 50 nymphs being added per well. 10 mg of dissolved test substance is applied to an area of 2.4 cm² radius. An evaluation of the video images shows that the compounds of formula I display marked deterrent action against Amblyomma nymphs, which lasts considerably longer than that of DEET. Particularly marked long-term activity is shown for example by compounds nos. 1.26 to 1.36, 1.40, 1.45, 1.47, 1.95, 1.96, 1.97, 1.137, and 1.139, even up to a dilution of 3.2 μg/cm².

[0050] Arena test in vitro against Boophilus microplus Biarra (larvae)

[0051] The test is carried out as described above, with ca. 60 to 100 larvae being added per well. 10 mg of dissolved test substance is applied to an area of 2.4 cm² radius. An evaluation of the video images shows that the compounds of formula I display marked deterring action against Bophilus larvae, which lasts considerably longer than that of DEET. Particularly marked long-term activity is shown for example by compounds nos.1.26 to 1.36, 1.40, 1.45, 1.47, 1.95, 1.96, 1.97, 1.137, 1.139, 1.140, 1.141, 1.142 and 1.143 even up to a dilution of 10 μg/cm².

[0052] Arena test in vitro against Rhipicephalus sanguineus (nymphs)

[0053] A test is carried out analogously to example B using ca. 40 to 50 nymphs. An evaluation of the video images shows that the compounds according to the invention display good deterring action. In particular, the compounds are notable for their almost complete deterring action, which lasts considerably longer than that of DEET. Particularly marked long-term activity is shown for example by compounds nos. 1.27, 1.29,1.32, 1.34, 1.36, 1.40, 1.45, 1.59, 1.96, 1.137, and 1.139, even up to a dilution of 10 μg/cm².

[0054] In analogous test set-ups, the same test substances are tested for their attractant activity to various species of fly, such as Musca domestica. It is shown that the substances mentioned above display strong deterring action even with these tested models. 

What is claimed is
 1. A non-therapeutical process for deterring vermin from warm-blooded animals, whereby a compound of formula (I)

or one of its acid addition salts, wherein R is hydrogen, C₁-C₂₀-alkyl or -C(O)-R₈; whereby R8 is C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, C₁-C₂₀-alkoxy, unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl which is substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, alkoxy, amino or nitro; R₁ is hydrogen, C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, -C(O)-R₃, -C(S)-R₄,C(O)-O-R₅, -C(O)-NH-R₆ or -C(S)-NH-R₇; whereby R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆ and R₇, independently of one another, signify C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, acetoxy, C₁-C₁₀-haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy or C₁-C₁₀-haloalkoxy, or independently of one another, denote unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl which is substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, C₁-C₃-alkoxy, amino, CHO or nitro; R₂ and R₃, independently of one another, are hydrogen, C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, amino, aryl or nitro; R_(a) denotes hydrogen, unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl or C₁-C₂₀-alkyl which is substituted once or many times by halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, alkoxy, nitro, phenyl, biphenyl, benzyloxy or phenoxyphenyl, whereby each phenyl, biphenyl, benzyloxy or phenoxyphenyl in turn is unsubstituted or substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₃-alkoxy, halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, amino or nitro; or it denotes C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, phenyl, biphenyl, phenoxyphenyl or heterocyclyl, whereby each of these cyclic radicals is unsubstituted or substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkoxy, C₁,-C₃-alkoxy, halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, amino, (C₁-C₃-alkyl)₂N, acetyl or nitro; or it denotes C₁-C₆-alkylene-aryl , whereby the aryl radical is unsubstituted or substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano, hydroxyl or nitro; or it denotes C₁-C₂₀-alkyl which, depending on the number of carbon atoms, is interrupted by oxygen at one or several positions; and R_(b) signifies hydrogen, C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, heterocyclyl or aryl, whereby each of the cyclic radicals is unsubstituted or substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkoxy, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, C₁-C₃-alkoxy, amino,(C₁-C₃-alkyl)₂N, or nitro; is applied topically, together with a spreading additive, to the skin, the pelt or the plumage of the warm-blooded animal.
 2. Process according to claim 1, whereby a compound of formula (I) or one of its acid addition salts is applied, wherein R is hydrogen or C₁-C₆alkyl; R₁ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, -C(O)-R₃ or -C(S)-R₄; whereby R₃ and R₄ independently of one another, are C₁-C₃-alkyl, acetoxy, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, or independently of one another, are unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl which is substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl or halogen; R₂ and R₃ independently of one another, are hydrogen or C₁-C₃-alkyl; R_(a) is hydrogen, C₅-C₂₀-alkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl or phenyl, whereby each of the cyclic radicals is unsubstituted or is substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₃-alkoxy, halogen, amino, (C₁-C₃-alkyl)₂N, or acetyl; and R_(b) is hydrogen, unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl which is substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, C₁-C₃-alkoxy, halogen, amino or (C₁-C₃-alkyl)₂N; including the acid addition salts thereof.
 3. Process according to one of claims 1 or 2, whereby a compound of formula (I) or one of its acid addition salts is applied, wherein R is hydrogen and the remaining substituents are defined as under formula (I).
 4. Process according to one of claims 1 to 3, whereby a compound of formula (I ) or one of its acid addition salts is applied, wherein R₁ is -C(O)-R₃, whereby R₃ represents unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl which is substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, especially methyl, ethyl or isopropyl, and the remaining substituents are defined as in formula (I).
 5. Process according to one of claims 1 to 4, whereby a compound of formula (I) or one of its acid addition salts is applied, wherein R₂ and R₃, independently of each other, are hydrogen or methyl and the remaining substituents are defined as under formula (I).
 6. Process according to one of claims 1 to 5, whereby a compound of formula (I) or one of its acid addition salts is applied, wherein R_(a) is C₅-C₂₀-alkyl, benzoyloxymethyl, 2,3-dihydro-benzo(b)furryl-2, unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl which is substituted once or many times by C₁-C₃-alkyl, methoxy or chlorine.
 7. Process according to one of claims 1 to 6, whereby a compound of formula (I) or one of its acid addition salts is applied, wherein R_(a) is a straight-chained C₇-C₂₀-alkyl.
 8. Process according to claim 1, whereby the active ingredient employed is one of the following named substances or one of their acid addition salts. 2-[n-(1-hydroxyhexyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxyheptyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxyoctyl)]-piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxynonyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxydecyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxyundecyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxydodecyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxytridecyl)]-piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxytetradecyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxypentadecyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxyhexadecyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxyheptadecyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxy-octadecyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxynonadecyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxyeicosyl)]-piperidine, 2-[n-(1 -hydroxyeneicosyl)]piperidine, 2-[(1-cyclopentyl)(1-hydroxy)methyl]-piperidine, 2-[(1 -phenyl)(1-hydroxy)methyl]-4-tert.butyl-piperidine, 2-[(1-phenyl)(1-hydroxy)-methyl]piperidine, N-methyl-2-[(1-phenyl)(1-hydroxy)methyl]piperidine, 2-[(1-diphenyl)(1-hydroxy)methyl]piperidine, 2-[(1-phenyl)(1 -[2,3-dihydrobenzo(b)furryl](1-hydroxy)-methyl]piperidine, N-methyl-2-[(1-[4- methylphenyl])(1-hydroxy)methyl]piperidine, 2-[(1-[4-methylphenyl]) (1-hydroxy)methyl]piperidine, 2-[(1-[4-isopropylphenyl])(1-hydroxy)-methyl]piperidine, N-methyl-2-[(1-[4-isopropylphenyl])(1-hydroxy)methyl]piperidine, 2-[(1-[4-methoxyphenyl]) (1-hydroxy)methyl]piperidine, 2-[(1-[benzyloxymethyl])(1-hydroxy)methyl]-piperidine, 2-[(1-thienyl)(1-hydroxy)methyl]piperidine, 6,6-dimethyl-2-[(1-[4-chlorphenyl])(1-hydroxy)methyl]piperidine, N-acetyl-2-[(1-hydroxy)(1-undecyl)]piperidine or N-ethoxy-carbonyl-2-[(1-hydroxy) (1-undecyl)]piperidine.
 9. Process according to one of claims 1 to 8, whereby the compound of formula (I Is applied in the form of a pour-on or spot-on formulation.
 10. Process for deterring vermin from places or materials where they are not wanted, whereby an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) according to one of claims 1 to 8 is applied to the place or to the material, at which one would like to deter the insect.
 11. Composition for deterring vermin, whereby it contains a compound of formula (I) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and a spreading additive.
 12. Process for the preparation of a composition for deterring vermin, whereby a compound of formula (I) according to one of claims 1 to 8 is mixed with a spreading additive.
 13. A compound of formula (I) selected from the group consisting of 2-[n-(1 -hydroxyhexyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxyheptyl)]piperidine, 2-[n-(1-hydroxyoctyl)]-piperidine, N-acetyl-2-[(1-hydroxy)(1 -undecyl)]piperidine and N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-[(1-hydroxy) (1-undecyl)]piperidine. 